Urban County Council

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Urban County Council met on August 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, with Vice Mayor Wu presiding. The council addressed three agenda items during the meeting, taking three votes and hearing one public comment. All three items on the agenda were approved: a zone change for 500 Southland Dr., a Police Sergeant Position, and Civil Service Appointments.

Attendance

All 15 council members were present at the August 13, 2026 meeting:

• Amy Beasley
• Hilary Boone
• James Brown
• Emma Curtis
• Tom Eblen
• Chuck Ellinger II
• Whitney Elliott Baxter
• Joseph Hale
• Lisa Higgins-Hord
• Shayla Lynch
• Tyler Morton
• Jennifer Reynolds
• Dave Sevigny
• Liz Sheehan
• Dan Wu

There were no absences or late arrivals.

Votes and Decisions

The Council held three roll call votes, all of which passed unanimously.

Ordinance 0650-26 7:03 changed the zoning designation for property located at 500 Southland Dr. from Professional Office (P-1) zone to Neighborhood Business (B-1) zone. Dave Sevigny moved the ordinance, and Emma Curtis seconded it. The vote was 15 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. All Council members voted in favor: Amy Beasley, Hilary Boone, James Brown, Emma Curtis, Tom Eblen, Chuck Ellinger, Whitney Elliott Baxter, Joseph Hale, Lisa Higgins-Hord, Shayla Lynch, Tyler Morton, Jennifer Reynolds, Dave Sevigny, Liz Sheehan, and Dan Wu.

Ordinance 0670-26 13:17 amended the authorized strength by creating one sworn position of Police Sergeant. Jennifer Reynolds moved the ordinance, and Chuck Ellinger II seconded it. The vote was 15 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. All Council members voted in favor: Amy Beasley, Hilary Boone, James Brown, Emma Curtis, Tom Eblen, Chuck Ellinger, Whitney Elliott Baxter, Joseph Hale, Lisa Higgins-Hord, Shayla Lynch, Tyler Morton, Jennifer Reynolds, Dave Sevigny, Liz Sheehan, and Dan Wu.

Resolution 0685-26 17:02 ratified the Permanent Classified Civil Service Appointments. Jennifer Reynolds moved the resolution, and Chuck Ellinger II seconded it. The vote was 15 ayes, 0 nays, and 0 abstentions. All Council members voted in favor: Amy Beasley, Hilary Boone, James Brown, Emma Curtis, Tom Eblen, Chuck Ellinger, Whitney Elliott Baxter, Joseph Hale, Lisa Higgins-Hord, Shayla Lynch, Tyler Morton, Jennifer Reynolds, Dave Sevigny, Liz Sheehan, and Dan Wu.

Budget and Financial Actions

The Council approved three financial actions during the August 13, 2026 meeting:

Interactive Outreach Tools Contract The Council authorized a contract with Riggs Ward Design for $135,000 to develop plans and designs for interactive outreach tools (Resolution 0453-26).

Transportation Improvements Grant The Council approved a grant of $519,200 for the Intelligent Transportation System/Congestion Management System Traffic Improvements Project (Resolution 0627-26).

Sanitary Sewer Consulting Services The Council authorized a contract with Hazen and Sawyer, P.S.C. for $900,000 to provide program management consulting services for the Sanitary Sewer Remedial Measures Program (Resolution 0635-26).

The three actions represent a combined financial commitment of $1,554,200.

Public Comment

40:51

John Marshall addressed the Council with concerns regarding large development projects and local infrastructure issues.

Data Centers and Project Oversight

Mr. Marshall expressed concerns about large projects such as data centers, advocating for the implementation of decommissioning bonds. He called for greater transparency in how such projects are managed and monitored.

Property Tax Concerns

Mr. Marshall criticized the current property tax system, raising questions about its fairness and application.

Infrastructure Maintenance

Mr. Marshall also brought attention to maintenance issues on Delong Road, indicating that local infrastructure upkeep requires attention.

Appointments

The Council made the following appointments and reappointments:

• John Atchison was reappointed to the Affordable Housing Governing Board.

• Leah Mason was reappointed to the Board of Health.

• Trudy Rose was appointed to the Dunbar Neighborhood Center Board.

Contested Items

Zone Change for 500 Southland Dr.

The Council considered an ordinance to change the zoning for the property at 500 Southland Dr. During the proceedings, a motion was made to suspend the rules to allow for a second reading of the ordinance. This motion passed, though it was not unanimous. Council Member Reynolds cast the sole nay vote against suspending the rules, indicating disagreement with expediting the second reading process for this zoning change proposal.

Zone Change for 500 Southland Dr.

Agenda Item: 0650-26

The Council considered an ordinance to change the zoning classification for the property at 500 Southland Dr. from Professional Office (P-1) to Neighborhood Business (B-1) 7:03.

Presentation and Discussion

Dave Sevigny and Emma Curtis presented on this agenda item. The proposed zone change would allow the property to transition from its current professional office designation to a neighborhood business classification, expanding the types of permitted uses at the location.

Outcome

The ordinance was approved by the Council.

Police Sergeant Position

Agenda Item: 0670-26

The Council considered an ordinance to amend the authorized strength by creating one sworn position of Police Sergeant. 13:17

Key Speakers: - Jennifer Reynolds - Chuck Ellinger II

Outcome: The ordinance was approved.

Civil Service Appointments

The Council considered a resolution ratifying Permanent Classified Civil Service Appointments for various positions 17:02.

Key Speakers

Jennifer Reynolds and Chuck Ellinger II presented and discussed the civil service appointments during this agenda item.

Outcome

The resolution was approved.